Letter-box.



No. 677,763. Pate-ntedjuly 2, 19m.

A. HENRY.

LETTER BOX.

(Application filed Sept. 24, 1900.)

(No Model.)

NW N

WITNESSES awa IN VE N TOR ufnolrewLHe UNITED STATES ANDREWL. HENRY, or LADOGA, INDIANA.

LETTER-BOX.

SZPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 677,763, dated July 2, 1901.

Application filed September 24, 1900- erial No. 30,882. (lilo model.)

removed by the postman; and it consists in an independent removable receptacle for letters and other matter placed inside of the box, all as will be hereinafter more specifically described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

which are made a part hereof, and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a box embodying my said invention, the door be ing shown in its open position; Fig. 2, an end elevation of said box; Fig. 3, a transverse sectional view of the same as seen when looking in the direction indicated by the arrows from the dotted line 3 3 in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4, a vertical sectional view through the front end of the box and its door, on an enlarged scale, as seen from the dotted line 4: 4 in Fig. 2, showing the receptacle more plainly.

The body 3 of the box may be of any usual or desired form and is designed to be secured to the cap 2 on the post 1, this particular form of box being designed for farmers use on rural delivery-routes and said cap and post being an appropriate support therefor.

The door a is hinged at the lower edge on a pivot-rod 5 and is adapted to close inside the edges of the ends of the box, which form jambs for said door. A flat bar 6 is riveted to the said door, and its lower end 0 extends down underneath the bottom of the box at the front edge and forms a stop which holds the door when open up to the position shown in Fig. 1. The upper end to of said bar or strip is bent outwardly, as shown, and forms one member of the lock-hasp, the other member 7 of said lock-hasp being riveted to the top of the box. These two parts of the lock hasp where they come together are also curved somewhat, as shown, and engage when closed, as best shown in Fig. 4:, the yielding or elasticity of the sheet-metal box-body permitting this. The door is thus held shut even when not locked.

Within the box, at a convenient point, preferably on the inner side of the door 4, is a removable receptacle or pocket 8,which is supported there by means of a loop-like bar 9, which is rigidly attachedto the inner side of said door and is of sufficient size to receive said pocket or receptacle. This pocket has flanged edges f, which hold it away from the surface of the door, so that when letters are placed therein they are held sufficiently away from said surface to enable them to be conveniently grasped by the fingers, as will be readily understood. Said pocket is also adapted to receive coins or other currency when persons putting mail in the box are not provided with postage-stamps and wish to leave the money instead.

The postman upon reaching the box opens the door and swings it to the position shown in Fig. 1, lifts up the receptacle or pocket 8, and empties its contents into his hand or the mail-sack. This he may readily do without removing his gloves, which is an advantage, especially in cold and inclement weather. The inconvenience of reaching to completely within the box and picking up small coins from the fiat surface of the bottom is also obviated.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of a letter-box, a door hinged thereto by a horizontal pintle at the lower edge thereof, a support secured on the inner side of said door, and a removable receptacle for receiving letters and the like adaptedto be inserted within said support,

3. The combination, with a letter-box, of a In witness whereof I have hereunto set my removable pocket adapted to be secured hand and seal, at Indianapolis, Indiana, this [0 therein having uniform flanges upon both 21st day of September, A. D. 1900. sides thereof, whereby the same is adapted 5 to be placed in position in its support and its ANDREW HENRY surface held away from the wall carrying said \Vitncsses: support, irrespective of which side is placed 7 CHESTER BRADFORD,

next the Wall, substantially as set forth. JAMES A. VVALSH; 

